Learning Commons
Join our team!
Interested in being a peer mentor?
*Undergraduate Mentor Applications for Fall 2025 are currently open. Keep reading for more details.*
Please carefully read the following information prior to applying for a Wildcat Academic Mentor position. Ideal candidates are students who mirror the values of the Learning Commons and who are willing to support our mission to engage students in pursuing academic excellence.
At the Learning Commons, Mentors:
- Focus on a student's strengths. Rather than starting with a mindset of deficiency, a peer mentor values the uniqueness of each individual student and will work with students to form plans that lead to success. In open, honest conversations, mentors help students discover and practice habits that lead to the outcomes that a student is seeking.
- Help reframe internal dialogue. We all have an internal voice that may be very critical. Mentors provide that crucial voice that A) reflects on strengths, and B) practices growth mindset language. This allows for the reality that we are all at different places in our lives, and that we all have the ability to improve.
- Provide accountability. While it is important to maintain a good rapport, mentors must additionally act as leaders and give direction without judgment.
If you feel that you could exemplify the aforementioned characteristics, in addition to meeting the minimum job requirements (below), then please email us at rachael.barry@cwu.edu to inquire about possible openings.
Current Opportunities
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Undergraduate Opportunities
*Applications for Fall 2025 are open now! Apply at CWU Careers under job code 6732.*
Job Summary
Wildcat Academic Mentors will support the Learning Commons in Fall 2025 by providing CWU students with information, resources, mentoring, and support. This position is an opportunity to provide peer mentorship to fellow Wildcats in a variety of settings: tabling at events, workshops, 1:1 mentoring sessions, and possible classroom presentations. Peer Mentors are integrated into UNIV 101 and will participate in Week of Welcome programming in addition to providing support to students throughout the academic year.
Essential Functions
Academic Mentoring:
- Foster a healthy mentor-mentee relationship with undergraduate peers through 1:1 meeting.
- Assist students with understanding course expectations, assignment steps, and deadlines by modeling syllabi, Canvas navigation, etc.
- Help students develop study skills and behaviors that lead to academic success and balanced living.
- Attend training sessions and weekly meetings.
- Support office assistants and ensure smooth daily operations of the unit.
- Maintain a clean and organized work environment.
- Respond to communication in a timely manner and check CWU email and teams daily.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor or other professional staff.
- Mentor students to develop personal, academic, and professional goals.
- Assist students in setting and achieving goals to foster academic success.
Student Engagement:
- Connect students to campus resources and academic or co-curricular opportunities.
- Facilitate academic planning and success workshops/events.
- Participate in outreach including but not limited to phone calls, emails and text messaging.
- Ability to deliver group presentations (Zoom, classroom settings).
Skills Needed:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work well with diverse student populations.
- Desire to help others succeed and contribute to their academic and personal growth.
- Ability to function effectively as a team member and work independently.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality in all situations.
- Superior written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to deliver group presentations (Zoom, classroom settings)
- Ability to uphold core values of the Learning Commons.
Minimum Qualifications
- 45 earned credits with in good academic standing.
- Strong desire to help others succeed
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
- Ability to function effectively as a member of a team as well as work independently.
Preferred Qualifications
- 90 earned credits with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Previous experience as a tutor, volunteer, coach, intern, etc. in a helping field
- Experience delivering group presentations, e.g. Zoom, classroom presentations, workshops.
Educational Benefits
- Gain leadership and coaching experience.
- Learn to assess students' needs and provide academic support.
- Engage in academic support training.
- Enhance interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
- Learn collaboration, project management, and workshop development.
- Earn certification through the College Reading and Learning Association.
Pay & Work Schedule
Pay
$17.25/hour
Schedule/Hours
10-15 hours weekly, scheduled Monday - Friday between 10:00am - 8:00pm with occasional weekend work for events.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer work station for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.
Benefits
Student and Temporary/Hourly positions are eligible to accrue paid sick leave. This leave will accrue at one (1) hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours of work.
How To Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application by searching for Job ID 5659, and then attach the following to your online application:
- a detailed resume
- cover letter explaining why you want to work as a peer mentor; what skills you have that make you a good candidate; and any challenges you might face as a Wildcat Academic Mentor.
- Two references (CWU faculty strongly preferred)
- Fall 2025 availability
For questions, please contact:
Name: Rachael Barry
Phone: 509-963-2495
Email: rachael.barry@cwu.edu* Please contact Human Resources by email or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the online application process.*
Conditions of Employment
Current student of CWU enrolled in at least 6 credits.
Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.
* Please contact Human Resources by email or 509-963-1202 if you have any concerns.*
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Graduate Student Opportunities
*Applications for Graduate Mentors are currently closed.*
Job Summary
Who we are:
The Wildcat Academic Mentoring (WAM) program empowers students by encouraging them to develop the diverse skills and strategies necessary to successfully navigate higher education.
The Role:
Graduate mentors fulfill an administrative support role within the WAM program and will support the WAM program by organizing workshops, participating in class visits, leading special projects, conducting staff meetings, and assisting with surveys and assessments of the WAM program. The ideal candidate is a positive role model of a successful student who supports mentees by giving academic advice, sharing resources, and caring about students’ success; exemplifies the core values of the Learning Commons and supports the day-to-day operations in the service of all students.
Essential Functions:
- Assist in the marketing of the WAM program.
- Support the WAM program by assisting in workshop and event programming.
- Assist the program manager in program and event assessment surveys and administrative duties for the WAM program.
- Assist in maintaining websites and adapting resources to be digitally accessible.
- Attend training sessions and/or weekly staff meetings.
- Support office assistants in daily operations and the smooth functioning of the Learning Commons.
- Respond to communication in a timely manner.
- Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor.
Educational Benefits
- Learn how to assess students’ needs.
- Learn to work and collaborate with others.
- Engage in trauma-informed, academic support training.
- Enhance interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate-level program at CWU.
- Strong desire to help others succeed.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Teamwork and collaboration abilities.
- Time management and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience as a tutor, volunteer, coach, intern, etc., in a helping field
- Experience in public speaking
- Experience working with Canva
Pay & Work Schedule
Hourly Rate: $19.25/hour
Appointment: Up to 20 hours; Fall, Winter, Spring with opportunity to work 35-40 hours during breaks.
Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.
Benefits: Student and Temporary/Hourly positions are eligible to accrue paid sick leave. This leave will accrue one (1) hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours of work.
How To Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and attach:
- A detailed resume
- A cover letter explaining why you want to work in the Learning Commons as a Graduate Mentor; what skills you have that make you a good candidate for the WAM program’s work; and any challenges you might face as a Graduate Mentor.
- Two references or letters of recommendation (CWU Faculty references strongly preferred)
Contact Information
Name: Rachael Barry
Title: Academic Success Coaching Coordinator
Email: rachael.barry@cwu.edu
Phone: 509-963-2495
Website: https://www.cwu.edu/academics/academic-resources/learning-commons/wildcat-academic-mentoring.phpPlease contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.
Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.
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